We’ve all seen those LED face masks all over Instagram but besides looking like a really fancy face mask, do we actually know what they are and how they work?
To begin with, they are not just fancy-looking face masks but are actually a form of light therapy that works wonders for acne-prone and dull-looking skin. Here’s how they work – when the light shines and penetrates into the skin, different wavelengths of light work to enhance and speed up wound healing, minimize the appearance of acne, stimulate hair growth, or relieve pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.
Blue LED light is often used to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria, but is also known to relieve anxiety. Green LED light is detoxifying, antibacterial, strengthens the immune system and relieves stress. While Red LED light stimulates collagen and elastin which can help with anti-aging, skin repair, wound healing, and also muscle recovery.
Most leading spas from across the world incorporate some sort of light therapy into most of their treatment services. But, this too, can be done at home using FDA-approved devices.
And so, from face masks to futuristic LED panels, here are seven of the best light therapy machines that work like magic and will transform your skin and wellbeing.

1. Flexbeam
Red light is known to help your body increase and speed up the body’s own healing effects and recovery efforts. FlexBeam, a red light therapy device, is designed for the human body. Instead of blasting light from a distance, it works directly where it is needed, harnessing the targeted power of red and near-infrared light for ideal physiological recovery. With this portable and wearable device, light therapy has never been so easy and effective.
Price: US$599
See also: 33 Wellness Gift Ideas

2. Gharieni MLX i3 Dome
Looking at the size of this machine, you probably want to leave your dermatologist to invest in this one. This machine from Gharieni Group gives you a triple detox therapy combining the benefits of FIR (Far Infrared Rays) Therapy, Plasma Therapy, and Light-Therapy (using red, green and blue light). This machine can work wonders on various different skin concerns such as psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and more. It can also relieve tension and stress in both body and mind. What sets this machine aside from the rest is that it minimizes the risk of man-made errors. It is a self-contained machine, which means you don’t need a therapist to operate it. You just need to position yourself inside the dome and let it do its magic. This machine is already being used in one of the world’s most high-tech spas at the Johnstown Estate. They combine machine-led therapies using the Gharieni MLX i3 Dome and traditional massages for overall rejuvenation.

3. Light Stim
The Light Stim is a celebrity favorite and we completely understand why. The Light Stim Bed is a full-body sized bed composed of 18,000 LEDs. They have taken NASA’s LED technology to a new level, developing LightStim MultiWave Patented Technology to simultaneously emit multiple wavelengths (colors) of light. These wavelengths of light work together to increase blood circulation and deliver a soothing treatment that sets the body’s inherent pain-relieving process in motion. This machine is FDA approved to relieve arthritic pain, minor aches and pains, relax muscles, and increase local blood circulation. Even NBA Players such as Chris Paul and Devin Booker are loyal users of the Light Stim bed as they claim that this helps them speed up recovery in between games.
See also: Fitness On-the-Go Guide for Busy People

4. Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device
Imagine having a medical-grade treatment in the comfort of your home. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? That’s what the Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device can give you. It is the world’s most potent at-home LED light therapy device for the face and entire body. This machine is the gold standard for professionals. It is both medically CE certified and FDA approved for at-home use. This high-strength device can be used by anybody of any age. With 360 LED bulbs that send wavelengths deep beneath the skin’s surface, it can target treatments for a range of skin concerns; including anti-aging, rosacea, eczema, acne, acne scars, muscle joint, and more. This device is also flexible, which means it isn’t just for your face or a body part, you can simply target any area you want to improve.

5. Repêchage EMS Skin Tightening Machine with LED Radio Frequency
The Repêchage LED Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Machine and EMS Skin Tightening Machine is an excellent alternative to other expensive light therapy devices. At a mere price of USD150, this product gives you five different therapy modalities: LED Light Therapy, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Radio Frequency (RF), Electroporation, and Mesoporation. These five modalities work in different ways and can help you strengthen muscles, block pain signals, increase blood circulation, and provide various skin benefits. It is safe for all skin types and can provide effective anti-aging treatments for a wide range of body parts, including the face, neck, belly, upper arms, and even delicate areas like the eye contour.
Price: US$150
See also: 8 Best Wellness Apps

6. reVive Light Therapy Lux Collection dpl IIa
What we love most about the reVive Light Therapy Lux Collection dpl IIa is the large surface area. You get to cover more skin areas making it more time efficient. In just three minutes per day, you can see a range of skin results from the comfort of your home. This top-of-the-market device features three effective treatment modes: anti-aging, acne treatment, and both at the same time. The Lux Collection dpl IIa is safe and effective for your face, neck, chest, hands, legs, back, and any part of your body. This product is fast, convenient, and effective!
Price: US$399

7. Soli-Lite
Soli-Lite is a high-end photobiomodulation system that employs a new generation of monochromatic LEDs to increase power and wavelength stability. This means that the reaction of the skin tissue to the exposure will highly be accelerated due to the increase in intensity – promising to eradicate your skin issues in a matter of minutes. It is natural and gentle, yet highly effective for various skin conditions. Whether you are battling damaged skin, aging and sagging skin, post-surgery scars, stretch marks, or even mild to moderately severe acne concerns, this machine can conquer them all, thanks to advanced technology and adjustable LED panels. When it comes to usability, Soli-Lite is very easy to use. It has a touchscreen interface and a menu that allows you to select the program you want. You also have the option to increase or decrease the intensity at your convenience and according to the needs of your skin.

8. Celluma Delux
Do you wish you had the luxury of having a full LED bed at home, so that you can continuously work on your skin issues from head to toe? The Celluma Delux might just be the answer. This portable space-saving, full-body LED device can hang at the back of a door when not in use. It offers all the advantages of a light therapy bed without the space requirement or exorbitant price tag. With three different mode settings, it can treat acne, wrinkles, and pain management. The FDA-approved device may also be used to decrease inflammation and increase micro-circulation to manage numerous pain and skin-related conditions such as arthritic pain, joint pain and stiffness, muscle tension, and spasm.

9. NeuroVizr
A home-use, personal wearable device, the NeuroVizr is placed on the head in a position similar to a standard Virtual Reality (VR) device. It has a plate with nine cool-blue/white LED diodes situated directly in front of the eyes of the user, and it is coupled with either audio headphones. The device is intended to provide a multi-sensory experience which is expected to enhance positive neuroplastic responses in the brain. NeuroVizr is designed to create wellbeing for your nerve cells. Research now shows that your brain can change for the better – at any age. The brain’s ability to change throughout the entire life cycle is known as neuroplasticity. Neural connections can be maintained, restored, and improved. Using NeuroVizr on a regular basis can lead to a wide range of mental, physical and emotional health benefits.
Price: US$1,495
See also: 10 Best Workout Apps for at-Home or on-the-go Fitness Sessions